WILLIAM HILLIER
Although it is evident that the Hillier children attended Craigflower School, present research has revealed little concerning the Hillier family. It is known that Hillier was an illiterate farm labourer from Stoke, Dorset recruited by Archibald Barclay. He made a five year contract (fl7 p.a.) to work for the Hudson's Bay Company October 17, 1849. Hillier was one of the party of immigrants along with J.S. Helmcken who sailed on the barque Norman Morison on her first trip to Fort Victoria in 1850.2 The passenger list does not include women so it is not known if Hillier's wife accompanied him.
Hillier's name does not reappear until Feb. 22, 1856 at which time he was witness to the wedding of Caleb Pike and Elizabeth Lidgate of Craigflower.3 By July of 1858, Hillier had purchased forty acres in the 'Lake district,'4 As the Lake district generally refers to an area considerably to the north-east of Craigflower this may be misleading, as it appears that Hillier resided in the area of west Burnside; his name is certainly linked with Craigflower. That Hillier's children attended the school is attested by Claypole's attendance report for the year 1863-64 which records Thomas Hillier, absent 38 1/2 days. Thomas' name appears again following the examination July 20, 1866 in which he did not excel academically but is noted for his 'diligence and good conduct.'6
Burial records for 1871 indicate the death of an Ellen Hillier, age 35 years. Although the age seems too young, this may have been Hillier's first wife; family records indicate he married a second time, to Elizabeth Jane Osman.7 Mallandaine's Victoria Directory for 1871 lists W. Hillier as a 'farmer and registered voter Lake District.'
By 1888 the names of what appear to be children of Hillier's second marriage appear in the 'merit' list following an examination at Craigflower:
"The half-yearly examination of Craigflower school took place-and proved highly satisfactory. The schoolroom was tastefully decorated with flowers and everything was neat and clean and in good order, while the tidy appearance of the pupils and their orderly and attentive bevaiour were all that could be desired, and reflected great credit upon their teacher, Mr. Newbury.
PUPILS LISTED
"The following is the list of pupils in order of merit: 1st class-Fred Adams, Joseph Stewart, Cowper Newbury, Arnot Ker, Albert Parker, James Dodd, Robert Francis, Janey Newbury; 2nd class-Henry Porter, Carrie Austin, Walter Ker, Annie Austin, Eliza Calvert, Annie Stewart, Peter Anderson, Mary Calvert, Minnie Parker, Alice Parker, Martin Dodd; 3rd class-Harry Parker, Richard Dodd, Charles Adams, Hattie Newbury, Fred Porter, Eva Robson, Kate Parker, Fanny Calvert, John Dodd, Eda Newbury, Annie Adams, Harry Austin, Joseph Calvert, Charles Porter, Alice Hillier, Herbert Hillier, Emily Austin, Willie Dodd, Johnny Adams, Grace Calvert, Emma Robson, Susan Hillier."8
Endnotes:
1 Puget Sound Agricultural Company Agreements with employees, 1850-52; PABC. Although Hillier's agreement is included with the PSACo. list it appears Hillier worked for the HBC.
2 A.N. Mouatt, "Notes on the Norman Morison:, BCHQ, Vol. III, 1939. The ship left England Oct. 20, 1849 and arrived at Ft. Victoria Mar. 24, 1850.
3 Marriage Register, Ft. Victoria, Vancouver & Langley, 1837-59. Elizabeth was the daughter of Duncan Lidgate, see his file. Caleb Pike had arrived at Ft. Victoria with Hillier, see Pike's file. Both men were still illiterate and signed the documents with "his mark" X.
4 "Return of lands sold, V.I.", Gt. Britain, Colonial Office, misc. papers relating to Vancouver Island. (HC paper 507 of 1863.)
5 Hillier's son Herbert and the Native Sons of B.C. claim that Hillier came out with McKenzie in 1853. However, Hillier's name does not appear in any documents of that period.
6 Alfred Waddington, Report on Schools, July 20, 1866.
7 A photograph In Visual Records, PABC, is enscribed "Thomas Hillier, adopted by Thomas Tugwell Sr. - son of Wm. Hillier's second marriage.' Ellen would have been 14 in 1850 when Hillier came out; possibly she was the daughter of an immigrant and they married at a later date.
8 Colonist, June 28, 1888, p. 5.
William Hillier
- arrived Ft. Victoria 1850
- wife - not known
- son Thomas attended Craigflower 1860's
- Ellen - possibly first wife, died 1871
- remarried
- children attended Craigflower 1880's
Alice
Herbert
Susan
- other children in photographs, Visual Records PABC:
William Jr.
John Emmanuel